GRAND CANYON REWINDUCSD opened its home slate against Grand Canyon on Nov. 17. The Tritons led 29-28 at halftime, but a second half surge propelled the Antelopes to a 65-52 victory. Tyler McGrath led UCSD with 16 points while Justin Brue totaled 12 points and a team-high nine rebounds. GCU, which upped its shooting percentage from 34.5% in the opening half to 43.5% in the second, got 17 points from Joshua Lowery and 10 out of Braylon Pickrel. The ‘Lopes scored 18 points off of 12 Triton turnovers. They were 22 of 30 from the free throw line while UCSD went 12-for-19.

McGRATH ON POINTSenior guard Tyler McGrath exploded for a career-high 33 points in UCSD's 83-74 win over Fresno Pacific on Nov. 10 in Utah (previous high was 21 at Cal State Monterey Bay on Feb. 17, 2012). 22 of his points came in the second half. McGrath was 10-for-17 from the field, establishing new career-highs with both of those numbers as well. In addition, his four assists equaled a career-best. McGrath has led UCSD in points in two of three games while Justin Brue had a team-high 14 points in the season opener at Dixie State.

ON THE VERGE OF 600UCSD'S win against Fresno Pacific on Nov. 10 gave the program its 599th victory. Since the 1965-66 season, the Tritons have accumulated a 599-623 overall record, good for a .490 win percentage.

RANK AND FILEThe National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) released its first regular season poll of the year on Tuesday, Nov. 20. A pair of CCAA teams are ranked among the nation's top 25 as Chico State is 16th and Cal Poly Pomona is 18th. West Liberty tops the poll and is followed by Washburn in second place and Metro State in third.

COMING HOMEAfter playing three of its first four games of the season on the road, UCSD will return to RIMAC Arena to host four straight games - Cal State L.A. (Nov. 30), Cal State Dominguez Hills (Dec. 1), Pacifica (Dec. 16) and Cal State San Bernardino (Dec. 30). The Tritons' next away game won't be until the new year when they travel to Cal Poly Pomona on Jan. 3.

ALL BUT ONEUCSD returns all but one of its starters from last season, including full-timers James McCann, Tyler McGrath and Justin Brue, along with part-timers MacKenzie McCullough and Ryan Peters . That group accounted for 61% of the team's scoring and 50% of its rebounds. The lone loss was big man Christian Hatch, who led the Tritons in scoring (12.5/game) and rebounding (7.3/game). The center was named to the All-CCAA Second Team.

THE COYOTESCal State San Bernardino comes into Saturday's game with an 0-1 record after opening the season with a 97-90 loss at Westmont on Nov. 13. Brian Goins scored a game-high 29 points for the Coyotes, but it wasn't enough as the Warriors hit 57.1 percent of its shots from the floor. CSUSB was within one point at 89-88 with 1:14 left, but a three-pointer by Westmont cushioned its lead and the Coyotes could not close the gap. Johnny Bell finished with 12 points for San Bernardino and Lacy Haddock had 11. The Coyotes were out-rebounded 39-28. CSUSB finished its 2011-12 season with a 14-12 overall record and finished tied for fifth in the CCAA with a 13-9 mark

AIR BALLFor the second straight year, a majority of UCSD men's basketball games will be broadcast live by ESPN Radio 1700. A total of 18 contests will be aired, including every home game as well as four CCAA road games (11/24 at Cal State San Bernardino, 1/3 at Cal Poly Pomona, 2/1 at Cal State Dominguez Hills, 2/2 at Cal State L.A.). You can also listen to the broadcasts online at http://bit.ly/ToXA9k.

COACH AND COACHUCSD head coach Chris Carlson will be a weekly guest on XX Sports 1090's "Coach" Kentera Show. Carlson will join host John Kentera every Tuesday at approximately 10 p.m. You can listen online as well at http://bit.ly/TsuTZ6.

BE SOCIALThere are now more ways than ever to follow the Tritons. Of course, you've always got UCSDtritons.com at your fingertips, but our social media scene is growing by the hour. Get instant updates on Twitter (UCSDtritons) and like us on Facebook (UCSDtritons). For a more visual approach, watch us on YouTube (UCSDathletics). Be sure to follow us all year for updates, behind the scene looks and great giveaways!

GEAR HEREUC San Diego Athletics is excited to announce the grand opening of UCSDTritonsGear.com, which will provide a web-based, on-demand option for UCSD Tritons athletic apparel and merchandise. Fans will have access to over 600 products, including special event and championship gear.